A Ballarat sustainability group says the new Victorian Solar Homes rebate will reduce the investment payback period for solar panels, the Courier reports.
Under the new scheme the state government will pay half the solar panel system cost for 24,000 homes.
Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE) is a community energy group committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Group president Ian Rossiter told the Courier the government program could lead to a 2 to 3 year return on solar panel investments for participants.
Victorian Solar Homes rebate scheme is a money saver
Rossiter said the scheme “will greatly reduce people’s annual energy bills”.
He also noted that the program should be safer than the Rudd Government’s pink batts program, which resulted in four deaths due to lack of installer training.
This is because the solar industry is highly regulated and the new program only involves installers who are accredited, properly trained and fully understand the risks.
Focus on safety, savings and emissions reduction
The Andrews Government is making safety and reliability top priorities for solar installations under the program. For example, choosing only CEC-approved products and installers is a stipulation for household eligibility.
The government also calculates the program will:
- Increase the number of Victorian homes with solar installations to one million within ten years.
- Save participants several hundred dollars a year on their energy bills.
- Cut the state’s carbon emissions by nearly four million tonnes.
- Contribute 12.5% towards Victoria’s 40% renewable energy target.
Other Victorian solar groups also welcome the news
In other parts of Victoria, community energy groups are also excited at the new solar rebate offer.
Goulburn Valley Energy’s chief Geoff Lodge said yesterday that the scheme will cut power costs. He added that he considers the program to be far more effective than the National Energy Guarantee (NEG).
Meanwhile the Bendigo Sustainability Group has also welcomed the announcement of the program. In a Bendigo Advertiser report the group’s president, Chris Weir, said the new rebate on solar panel systems will encourage people already thinking about a solar installation to take action.
To take advantage of this game-changing solar panel rebate, contact Energy Matters on 133 786 or fill out our online rebate inquiry form.
